In a lawsuit against Kofi Akpaloo, the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), renowned Ghanaian attorney Tsatsu Tsikata claims that Mr. Tsikata helps former President John Mahama reclaim state contracts that he allegedly benefited from during Mahama's first term. Tony Lithur of Lithur Brew and Company, who leads Mr. Tsikata's legal team, filed the defamation lawsuit, claiming that Mr. Tsikata's hard-earned reputation has been harmed by what it calls "egregious falsehoods."

The contentious statements were made by Mr. Akpaloo in a broadcast interview on GHOne TV, which is owned by Dr. Kwabena Duffour's Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) Network, which has also been cited as a co-defendant.


In the interview conducted on November 19, 2024, Mr. Akpaloo said that Mr. Tsikata's support for John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) 2024 flagbearer, was motivated by personal advantages he had obtained under the previous president.

He implied self-interest rather than a sincere faith in Mr. Mahama's leadership when he asserted that Mr. Tsikata's support was driven by "getting contracts under Mahama" and "getting the best deals."

Mr. Tsikata, a law professor at the University of Ghana's Faculty of Law and a former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), flatly disputed the accusations, calling them unfounded and detrimental to his reputation. The statements were untrue, defamatory, and intended to damage his reputation in the public's eyes, according to his legal writ.

The lawsuit highlights how the remarks damage Mr. Tsikata's reputation as a public figure by portraying him as a self-serving person whose opinions are shaped by personal gain. Because of the seriousness of Mr. Akpaloo's defamatory statements, Mr. Tsikata is asking damages as restitution for the injury done to his reputation. The former head of the GNPC further demands that both defendants issue an obligatory apology and retraction that is as widely publicized as the initial remarks.

He also hopes that the punitive charges imposed on Mr. Akpaloo would discourage similar behavior in the future. Additionally, he seeks injunctions to guarantee that the deceptive remarks are taken down from all digital platforms connected to EIB Network and GHOne TV. The remarks came after Mr. Tsikata openly stated that he would vote for Mr. Mahama, pointing to the accomplishments of his previous government as proof of his ability.

"Mahama's performance is better than what we've seen over the past eight years," Mr. Tsikata said, comparing the NDC and NPP regimes' performances.

The eminent lawyer announced his desire to support Mahama, pointing to the accomplishments of his prior term as proof of his ability, especially when contrasted with the Akufo-Addo administration's eight-year record. Tsikata declared in an interview with Accra-based GHOne TV, "I'm voting for John Mahama." Mr. Tsikata asserts that John Mahama's achievements show his ability to propel the country's development. Additionally, he emphasized that "this [NPP] government's failures are clear."

"Mahama's performance is better than what we've seen over the past four years," the former CEO of GNPC said in reference to the NDC administration's track record. The current legal dispute began when Mr. Akpaloo rejected these feelings, blaming them on favoritism and self-interest rather than an impartial assessment. Kofi Akpaloo contended in an interview on GHOne TV that Mr. Tsikata's appreciation of Mahama stemmed mostly from the advantages he enjoyed when Mahama was in government.

The reason he said so was because he was receiving contracts under Mahama. He had the best bargains. Without a doubt, he will give Mahama accolades. Naturally, everyone who received the sweets will remember him and compliment him in this way, Akpaloo claimed.